Prairieland Talk . . .
Committee Succeeds; Arms Fail
By ROMAkNE SAUNDERS, Retired, Former Editor The Frontier
\
MARION, IND.—A committee of seven citi
zens, armed only with the “sword of the spirit,” did
what officers with machine guns and armed to the
teeth failed to do in subduing four desperate men
in prison in Boston, Mass.
Two clergymen, an editor, a lawyer and a doc
tor were among the seven citizens making up that
committee. Talking quietly, lis
tening to the grievances of the
four men, pledging help, sympa
thetically lending an ear to the
confessions of men who had trod
the ways of crime because of en
vironment in early life, gave the
members of that group of men
from the walks of civil and ord
erly life a glimpse at the dark
picture of the underworld.
Tears came to the eyes of Romalno
one convict as he said to this Saunders
group of men he was now accepting as friends
that he had done many evil things and wanted a
chance to do something good, offering to give his
eyes to someone who might be going blind and his
body to medical science for study.
These four have sown, they reap the harvest
of a life of crime and in defying the authority of a
great state show they have capabilities that should
have been put to use in lawful pursuits.
* * *
Bronco Charlie Miller died at the age of 105
and was buried January 19 at Glen Falls, N.Y.
He was the last of the pony express riders and
after a life in the saddle from Omaha to Chey
enne Wyo., he may have gone East to get away
from the memory of it all. O’Neill and the region
about had a Bronco Bill Miller in the hectic days
of the six-shooter, but I never heard of him going
any farther east than Ewing.
* * *
Activities in religious and cultural circles;
Plans have been made for the erection of a $4,500,
400 Pope Pius XII library in St. Louis, Mo. A
Methodist bishop told a group of several hundred
of his church leaders to get back to the Bible ,or
their preaching and to emphasize to their congre
gations that nonattendance at church services “is
a sin.’’ Catholic, Protestant and Jewish leaders par
ticipated in ceremonies in Pans opening an exhi
bition of the scriptures which displayed documents
from as far in the past as 1400 B.C. Business and
professional men’s organizations in Washington,
D.C., are promoting a campaign for the observance
of a day of rest and worship in the nation’s capi
tal. It is discovered that it is not the youth of the
country alone who are devouring the stuff on news
stands now coming under the ban, but mobs of
adults have been grabbing for the colored products
from the synagogues of Satan. The Voice of Pro
phesy reaching out from a studio in Los Angeles,
Calif., to all languages and countries of earth cele
brates its 25th aniversary February 6.
* * *
Not many have the physical vigor to travel
the highway of life for a full century as did Char
lie Fauquier, whose death and burial were recent
ly noted. Mr. Fauquier served his district in
southern Holt county as a member of the county
board of supervisors in the days of sizzling poli
tics within that prairieland realm. It was not on
partisan lines that he as a democrat was elected
in a normal republican stronghold which that sec
tion of the county has had the reputation of being.
He said to me once he did not pretend to know too
much about directing the affairs of the county gov
ernment but he took a great interest in the work
of the board when in committee they went through
the affairs of the various county offices. As I re
call, he used the word “through,” not “over.”
There has been too much going over records, and
too little going through them.
* * *
The weather man in Baltimore, Md., forecast
a snowstorm for the following night, anchoring his
faith in all the signs promised, and saying that if
it did not snow he would board an airplane and
fly over the city and scatter a bushel of bleached
cornflake- Evidently the coyotes didn’t howl or
they have -none around Baltimore. No snow, but
the weather man made his threat good and show
ered a path across the city with cornflakes.
A 10-year-old Marion girl served for a day m
the legislature in session in Indianapolis, Ind., as
page to a senator from her hometown. . . Students
of the Marion public schools contributed ^314.91
to the “march of dimes” polio fund. . . Indiana has
“institutional” problems also. A committee of law
makers in session at the statehouse says most of
the state’s institutions are fit only to be “leveled
with the ground.” . . An insurance executive says
that “a hearty kiss can go a long way toward pre
venting highway accidents.” Now kids, don’t over
do it. . . Sales of U.S. savings bonds in Grant
county (Marion the countyseat) amounted to $178,
090 during December, the Christmas gift buying
month. . . Shorthorns appear to be the favored
breed of cattle on Indiana farms.
* * *
I have just seen on the screen a gent and
lady in an agony of song known as an oratorio.
The performers draw princely pay and probably
it’s worth it—the contortions that accompany the
words that you do not understand and the strain
and stretch of vocal cords. Maybe it is music,
but to guys like Prairieland Talker, it is mostly
noise. Odt of memory’s mellow store I hear again
the sweet voice touching the high soprano notes
in the simple beauty of natural song. That voice
is now stilled. Yet out of the depth of eternity
it may join with seraphim in celestial song. In
the realm of earthly art, concert singers, prima
donnas and the others touch the height and
depth of vocal gymnastics, heedless of the few
old stiffs who prefer to hear a meadowlark
perched on a fence post pour forth his evening
song.
* * ♦
Prairieland pioneers who made their beds <
a “tick” filled with hay, fed the cows and horses
hay burned hay in a haybumer, and built the cow
shed out of hay, held a cultivated field from blow
ing away with hay and bought a bag of flour and
a fey/ groceries with the price of a load of hay.
If any survive who remember, they may be inter
ested to learn that 21 billion American homes
now have gas for heating and cooking, with two
million homes yearly taking to gas as fast as the
pipelines can reach them. The Atkinson balers are
using a little hay and John L. Lewis’ coal miners
have abandoned the pick and shovel. Hugh Coyne’s
hardware probably has the baling wire for the
hay balers but may have forgotten to order another
coal burning stove.
They were once known as saloons. Now they
are called liquor stores. But turn out the same
wabbly product.
* * *
William Allen Lundy of a community in Flor
ida, said to be 107-years-old, is one of three living
Confederate soldiers, one in Virginia, the other in
Texas. Lundy is quoted as saying he is sorry he
didn’t get to shoot a few Union soldiers during the
war in the 60’s. Still a rebel! Albert Woolson of
Duluth, Minn., is the only surviving Union soldier.
In place of figures for Wednesday, January 19,
there appears the likeness of Robert E. Lee, the
rebel chief commander, on some calendars. From
month-to-month pictures of notables appear on
the 1955 calendars in the space allotted for the date
which is the birthday anniverasry of the one
shown.
* * *
Financial stringency rather than reading do
it-yourself books is back of most home-made
creations.
* * *
The man who grumbles about a dollar paid
in direct taxes pays $25 in indirect taxes without
realizing that he is doing it.
* * *
The boy who learns to play a game fairly and
squarelv will seldom develop into a crooked busi
ness man.
* * *
Advertising is as necessary to a successful
business as the ability to buy the right thing at the
right price.
* * *
It’s not the cost of collecting that worries the
business men of O’Neill but the cost of not collect
ing.
Editorial . . .
Expanded Markets Are Answer
Years ago the republican party was known as
the high tariff party. The democrats at that time
were the loudest exponents of more free trade.
The issue has long since ceaspd to exist between
the two parties, but the realization of a constantly
expanding market if still the answer to most of our
economic ills.
The congress now in session seems to be vitally
aware of that fact, and the outcome will probably
be an honest effort to expand the markets for all
American products, both at home and abroad.
This is the real answer, and the only answer
that will keep our standard of living at a prosper
ous peak without eventually breaking the American
taxpayer through constantly increasing taxes,
which in turn are brought about by government
subsidization and spending in all types of busi
ness.
It would seem ridiculous to us to expand trade
with Soviet Russia or any of her satellites, how
ever, and especially foolhardy to traffic in any
commodity that might be classified as a strategic
item. There are those statesmen and even some
agricultural groups who want this foreign trade
without restrictions.
While not much is said about it anymore, the
national debt of this country is a staggering sum
—and also a legal obligation. It cannot be merely
forgotten. It must eventually be paid or the gov
ernment will be bankrupt. The quest for greater
markets would enable all industries, including ag
riculture. to survive without federal hand-outs or
interference.
All congress has to do is find these markets
and, friend, that’s a real humdinger of a project!
‘Post Hoc, Ergo Propter’
The radioactive “fall-out,” especially from a
hydrogen bomb explosion, is giving both layman
and nuclear scientist pause. But attribution of
some other phenomena to bomb tests resembles
superstitions of the past more closely than the ob
jective findings of the present.
In New England: “Another bomb test at Eni
wetok; another hurricane next year.” (Then what
caused the hurricanes that frequently struck Flor
ida, the gulf coast, and the West Indies during the
years back to Columbus?) «
In the plains states: “Those explosions in the
Pacific and Nevada—they’re causing this drouth.”
(Then what caused the “dust bowl” drouth of the
early 1930’s before the atomic bomb was thought
of?)
Too much wet weather, too much dry used to
be blamed on radio waves! Post hoc, ergo propter
hoc. (After, therefore because.)
The most comprehensive study yet undertaken
on the possible effects of an atomic blast on the
weather is now underway.. It has put out a progress
report the gist of which is that there is no effect
on the weather, outside the immediate area, that
can thus far be charged to bomb explosions “other
than the possibility of decreasing the amount of
lightning.”
Is that bad?
The expert politician can tell you how many
handshakes it takes, on the average to get one
vote.
The surest way to enjoy life is to provide
your own security by saving something every
month.
Isn’t it funny that your friends always select
your busiest day to come in to pay a social call?
Doing favors for people is habit-forming, in
both directions.
CARROLL W. STEWART, Editor and Publisher
Editorial & Business Offices: 122 So«th Fourth St.
Address correspondence: Box 330, O’Neill* Nebr.
Established in 1880 — Published Each Thursday
Entered at the postoffice in O’Neill, Holt coun
ty, Nebraska, as second-class mail matter under
the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. This news
paper is a member of the Nebraska Press Associa
tion, National Editorial Association and the Audit
Bureau of Circulations.
Terms of Subscription: In Nebraska, $2.50 per
year; elsewhere in the United States, $3 per year;
rates abroad provided on request. All subscriptions
are paid-in-advance.
Audited (ABC) Circulation—2,335 (Mar. 31, 1954)
When You and I Were Young... I
No One Recalls
Colder Morning
Mercury 34 Below at
Daybreak
50 Years Ago
The oldest inhabitant doesn’t
remember a colder morning than
v;as had one day this week. It
was 34 degrees below in the shade
before daylight and dropped an
other degree at daybreak. . . Chet
Hasson, operator at the North
Western here, has been transfer
red by the company to West
Point. ..0.0. Snyder was elect
ed to the presidency of the
State Lumbermen’s association at
a meeting held in Lincoln. . .
Henry Zimmerjnan injured his
finger badly w^hen he caught it in
a cream separator.
20 Years Ago
A. T. Crumly and his son,
Lindley, have captured a total of
24 coyotes since the first of the
year. Seventeen were taken after
recent snow. . . Ross Aiken Gort
ner, professor at the University of
Minnesota and formerly of Verdi
gre, was acclaimed one of the five
greatest living scientists in a re
cent issue of Science magazine.
... St. Mary’s basketbal team
was defeated at Spalding by the
academy there, 23-18. . . Holt
county farmers are wondering
when they are to get the second
installment of their corn-hog
money for 1934. It was supposed
to arrive on or about November
15.
10 Years Ago
Fred O. Zink of Stuart was
chosen by the county board of su
pervisors as county clerk of Holt
county. . . Page beat Inman to
cop the county basketball crown.
St. Joseph’s hall won the conso
lation game from O’Neill. . . Betty
Jane Butler of Stuart and Ray
mond Junior Hoffman of Bassett
were married at the Methodist
church in O’Neill. Rev. Dawson J.
Park ofifciated at the ceremony.
. . . Mrs. Elsie Slattery, who has
not seen her brother in 25 years,
received a telephone call from
him. He is with the medical corps
of the Royal Air Force of Eng
land and called her from New
York City.
One Year Ago
“Grandma” Summers celebrat
ed her 94th birthday anniversary.
. . . Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Jansen
celebrated their golden wedding
anniversary at an open-house at
the Gilbert Winchell home. . . The
march of dimes campaign got a
$190 shot in the arm from a home
talent show presented at the O’
Neill public school. . . Louis
Storm, whose father founded
Spencer, said in a recent "Voice
of The Frontier” radio interview
that he will give away his Crystal
cave of Black Hills fame to a
religious organization. . . The top
1C bulls in the eighth annual sale
sponsored by the Holt County Ab
erdeen-Angus Breeders’ associa
tion averaged $453.
Married at Butte—
BUTTE—Ray Eugene Passieux,
19, and Bonnie Lee Schmidt, 16.
both of O’Neill, obtained a mar
riage license here Monday, Jan
uary 24, and were married at the
Boyd county courthouse by Coun
ty Judge John P. Classen.
News
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Anspach
and family attended a family re
union dinner Saturday at the
home of Mr. and Mrs Fred
Forsch in Butte. Mrs. Anspach is
the former Mavis Forsch of Butte.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Matthews
and family arnd Mr. and Mrs.
Ralph Beckwith were Sunday
dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur Haley in Atkinson.
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Hansen en
tertained 18 persons Sunday eve
ning at a dinner at their home.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gilg of At
kinson were Sunday guests of
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Bowker.
Mrs. Edna Coyne, Mrs. Nellie
Malloney and John Kennedy were
Sunday guests at the Lawrence
O’Malley home near Chambers.
Friends of St. Mary’s food sale,
Saturday, Feb. 5, at Shelhamer’s
Mkt., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 40c
Saturday guests of Mr. and Mrs.
Roy Lowry and Charles Caywood
were Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hull and
Jerry and Mrs. Mary Mulhair,
all of Lynch, Dickie Hull, home
on leave from Labrador, and Mr
and Mrs. Don Kayl of Ft. Worth,
Tex.
Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and
Mrs. Vern Grenier were Mr. and
Mrs. George Mellor and family
and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lanman.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gibson and
S/Sgt. Donald Gibson visited on
Saturday evening at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Max Farrier near
Chambers.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hansen
and family of Norfolk and Francis
Flood visited over the weekend
at the homes of their parents, Mr.
and Mrs. E. N. Flood and Carston
Hansen.
Robert Eby of Omaha visited
over the weekend with his mother,
Mrs. E. J. Eby
GRAND OPENING
Thursday—Friday—Saturday . . . Febr. 3-4-5
RUBECK’S STANDARD SERVICE
ATLAS TIRE STORE
I
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Our Sale Price $Q QQI
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HAD ANY TIRE TROUBLE LATELY? I
How the 1955 Mercury makes
sense out of high horsepower
*..
Co-op
NEW 1955 MERCURY PUTS HIGH HORSEPOWER TO WORK AT NORMAL DRIVING
SPEEDS WITH NEW SUPER-TORQUE V-8 ENGINE, DUAL EXHAUST, 4-BARREL CARBURETOR
Mercury gives you high horsepower you
can use in all performance ranges—not
just brag about
More important than high horsepower alone
is pickup, passing, hill-climbing power—more
power for your everyday driving.
Everything about Mercury’s new and ad
vanced super-torque V-8 engine is designed
to give you more usable power with super
nickup in every speed range.
It’s a short-stroke, low-friction design, with
high-turbulence combustion chambers, full
vacuum automatic spark control—all specially
engineered to squeeze more power out of
every drop of gas.
And there are Mercury exclusives like:
li A 4-barrel vacuum-operated carburetor for
instant response. Only Mercury in its field
offers it as standard equipment on every model.
2. A dual-exhaust system on all Montclairs
and Montereys to cut power loss, and add
more efficiency and economy. Only Mercury
in its price class has it as standard equipment.
3. High-compression spark plugs—a revolu
tionary new design—for peak performance
at all speeds without overheating or foul
ing. Only Mercury has them in its field.
They all add up to a new kind of high-horse
power performance by Mercury—the car that’s
always used V-8 engines—built over 2,000,000
of them. We invite you to try the new 198- -
hp Montclairs, the 188-hp Montereys and
Customs. Just stop in at our showrooms.
IT PAYS TO OWN A mERCURY FOR FUTURE STYLING. SUPER POWER
TONY ASIMUS
On U.S. Highways 20 - 275 - 281 O’Neill, Nebr.